This game has 0 balance. OMG is it unbalanced!

[Nery]

As far as I could read, power creep (and push) is in part because of the buff durations being 25 mins (this makes anything above 8 mins considered a meh build, and anything above 12mins a literally unplayable).

Another reason for the push is that repeating 150-170 is better than doing 100-150 then restarting a few times (3) at 130 and doing 130-150. The loot difference is minimal, the challenge difference is much larger, but the 30 waves you can shave off that way affects buff/tribute economy much more than anything.

Add a start at 130 option and you’re guaranteed that the push for faster 150-170 clears will diminish.

Exacltly this!

In Crucible there are “sweet spots” to land your build. Best is under 8 on average with 3 buffs and 1 banners, so you can sustain your tributes. And Crucible have less RNG than SR and it’s great way to farm for items. When start playing 150-170 had aroudn 30% of end game gear through campaign. For less than month playing had like 85-90%.

Now players of course loves to get competitive and do faster than light times, but there’s logical explanation about correlation between speed and success in Crucible. Also mind that there the most dangerous are the stackable debuffs and CC effects. The more you stay without killing the monsters, the bigger your chance of dying is. So there is difference between enough power to clear it and power creeps. Please don’t confuse them!